Getting Your Home in Top Selling Condition Curb Appeal ¨ Drive up to your home and look at it from afar. Look at it through the eyes of buyers. ¨ Check the shingles – repair or replace damaged shingles. ¨ Clean and repair the gutters. ¨ Clean and repair the HVAC units. ¨ Repair broken windows and shutters. Replace torn screens. Make sure frames and seams have solid caulking. ¨ Repair or replace door knobs, doorbell and light fixtures if necessary. ¨ Remove all toys, equipment and litter. ¨ Remove cobwebs and nests. ¨ Remove mildew, moss and stains from the side of your home – use bleach. Remove stains from the walkways and driveway – use concrete cleanser and/or kitty litter. ¨ Repair and clean patio furniture and deck area. Remove anything that can’t be repaired. ¨ Make sure the spa and pool sparkle. ¨ Go around and touch up the exterior of your home with putty and paint. ¨ Clean or paint the front door and mailbox. ¨ Hose off the exterior of your home, especially around entrances. Use siding cleanser. ¨ Wash the windows. ¨ Wash your garbage can and put it in a place where it’s not the first thing potential buyers see when they drive up. ¨ Stack the woodpile neatly. ¨ Mow the lawn. ¨ Trim the trees and shrubs. ¨ Weed the gardens. ¨ Add colorful plants or foliage to fill in bare spots. ¨ Edge the gardens and walkways. ¨ Sweep the walkways and driveway. ¨ Replace doormats that are worn and torn. ¨ Shine brass hardware on the doors and light fixtures. Polish stained wood doors and trim. ¨ Drive up to your home again and look at it from the eyes of a potential buyer. Walk into your home as a potential buyer. Determine what kind of impression the walkways and entrances now make. Overall Interior ¨ Walk through your home. Store, give away, throw, or donate anything that you won’t need until after the move; e.g. furniture, knick-knacks, clothing, toys, equipment, appliances, worn rugs, papers, books, cosmetics, jewelry, games, CDs, etc. ¨ Walk through your home again, this time with some tools. Fix loose door knobs, cracked molding, leaky faucets. Remove cob webs. ¨ Replace worn or broken door knobs, cabinet fixtures, light fixtures, light switches, outlet plates, faucets and vent covers. ¨ Clean the fireplace. ¨ Clean the vents. ¨ Clean and organize your closets. Add extra space by storing or giving away items. ¨ Add a fresh coat of paint in light, neutral colors. ¨ Shampoo the carpet. Replace if necessary. Clean and wax the floors. ¨ Vacuum the window blinds, shades and drapes. Wash or dry clean curtains. Wash all the windows, frames and sills. ¨ Add dishes of potpourri. ¨ Remove all valuables, such as jewelry, artwork, knick-knacks, medications, cash, coin collections and so on. ¨ Open all the window shades to create a spacious and bright look. ¨ Put pet supplies and dishes in a place where they are not the first thing potential buyers see or smell when they walk into a room. Living Room and Family Room ¨ Make these rooms spacious and inviting. ¨ Discard or repair chipped furniture. Replace worn rugs and pillows. ¨ Remove magazines, games, toys and so on. ¨ Make sure the entertainment center sparkles. ¨ Vacuum upholstery, drapes, pillows, etc. Dining Room ¨ Clean out your china cabinet. Polish any visible silver. ¨ Put a lovely centerpiece on the table – treat yourself to fresh flowers. Set the table for a formal dinner to help potential buyers imagine entertaining there. Bedrooms ¨ Arrange furniture to create a spacious look. ¨ Remove games, toys, magazines, cosmetics, jewelry – especially on the nightstands. ¨ Replace bedspreads, quilts and pillow shams if they are worn or faded. Bathrooms ¨ Remove rust and mildew stains. ¨ Wash or replace shower curtains. ¨ Make sure everything sparkles – including grout. ¨ Replace worn rugs and towels. Kitchen ¨ Make sure all appliances work. ¨ Throw or eat the foods that you’ve been storing for so long. ¨ Clean the inside of the refrigerator, stove and cabinets. Make sure everything is organized to create a spacious look. ¨ If your stove has electric burners, purchase new drip pans for each burner. Wash removable knobs in your dishwasher. ¨ Polish the cabinets with furniture oil. ¨ Make sure appliances, countertops and the sink sparkle. Install new faucets if necessary. Attic, Basement and Garage ¨ Get rid of unnecessary items. Store or pack items you won’t need until after the move. ¨ Organize everything to create more floor space and make inspections easy. Put things on shelves or in matching boxes. ¨ Provide bright lighting. ¨ Clean all equipment and vents. Replace filters. Fix any insulation that might be showing. ¨ Take care of stale or musty odors. Open the windows, dust and wash the walls and floors, purchase room deodorizers. When It’s Time to Show ¨ Make sure your property folder is out in the open. It should contain utility bills, an MLS profile, your Seller’s Disclosure, extra property flyers and extra business cards. ¨ Do a quick clean and vacuum. Air out your house. Dispose all trash. ¨ Put pets outside if it’s safe to do so. ¨ Turn on a radio with peaceful music. I can email you information on all active listings in your area that fit your criteria, as well as an analysis of comparable recent sales. You can reach me through my office 972-468-5294 or cell at 972-333-3851. You can also get lots of great real estate information by visiting http://rainawells.yourkwagent.com



Listings closed in February 2009, reported as of March 5, 2009.
Number of homes sold 73.
Average Selling Price $280,610.
Selling Price Percent of Listing Price 95%.
Average Days on Market 131.
Lowest Sale Price $43,000.
Highest Sale Price $1,550,000.
Average Sold Price per Square Foot $111.75
As you can see from the information above, single family homes in the Far North Dallas area are selling with an average of 131 days on the market. Of the 73 closings that have reported in to date for February, had an average asking price of $295,630 and sold 95% of list price, this indicates a weak but stable market. If you are considering a move to the Greater Dallas Texas area and are interested in information on a specific area contact me. I can email you information on all active listing in that area that fit you criteria, as well as an analysis of comparable recent sales in that area. You can reach me through my office 972-468-5294 or cell at 972-333-3851. You can also get lots of great real estate information by visiting http://rainawells.yourkwagent.com
Source: NTREIS or North Texas Real Estate Information System
Real Estate Home sales in Plano, Texas, MLS area 20 which includes Murphy.
Listings closed in February 2009, reported as of March 5, 2009.
Number of homes sold 164. Up 31 from January.
Average Selling Price $283,057. Up $41k from January.
Selling Price Percent of Listing Price 97%.
Average Days on Market 92.
Lowest Sale Price $49,500.
Highest Sale Price $2,050,000.
Average Sold Price per Square Foot $100.20
As you can see from the information above, single family homes in Plano are selling with an average of about 92 days on the market. Of the 164 closings that have reported in to date for February had an average asking price of $294,750 and sold for 97% of list price, this indicates a stable market. If you are considering a move to the Plano Texas area and are interested in information on a specific area or details of a previous month, contact me. I can email you information on all active listing in that area that fit you criteria, as well as an analysis of recent comparable sales in that area. You can reach me through my office 972-468-5294 or cell at 972-333-3851. You can also get lots of great real estate information by visiting http://rainawells.yourkwagent.com
Source: NTREIS or North Texas Real Estate Information System
![]()
Location Characteristics: Plano, Texas in short has been a legacy of propriety. It bestows the honor of being the largest suburb of Dallas it is conveniently located 20 miles outside of downtown. One of the most tantalizing assets Plano has to offer is its school system. For almost 15 years, Plano has been known as having the most prosperous school system in all of Texas. Plano East Senior High has been given “The Best School in Texas” award by Redbook magazine almost every year since 1993. Another great high school, Plano Senior High has received recognition for giving more advanced placement exams than any other school in the county.
Plano also offers its residents an abundance of various restaurants and entertainment. It has a strong retail base with Collin Creek and The Shops at Willow Bend malls and over 60 retail centers located throughout the city. It has evolved into an exclusive destination for homeowners desiring the best developers have to offer. Three country clubs have their home here, Gleneagles, Prestonwood and Los Rios. It is the home for 12 prominent public golf course and 4 movie theatres.
However the most vital asset Plano has to offer is real estate. From pristine waterfront properties to horse and cattle estates, you can find it here. When searching in the Dallas region, Plano would be considered “the icing on the cake”. Housing in Plano is not only luxurious and well priced, but also remarkably inexpensive considering the available accommodations and amenities.However the most vital asset Plano has to offer is real estate. From pristine waterfront properties to horse and cattle estates, you can find it here. When searching in the Dallas region, Plano would be considered “the icing on the cake”. Housing in Plano is not only luxurious and well priced, but also remarkably inexpensive considering the available accommodations and amenities.
Real Estate Home sales in Richardson, Texas, MLS area 23.
Listings closed in February 2009, reported as of March 5, 2009.
Number of homes sold 46.
Average Selling Price $162,944. Up $13k from January.
Selling Price Percent of Listing Price 98%
Average Days on Market 89.
Lowest Sale Price $25,000.
Highest Sale Price $375,000.
Average Sold Price per Square Foot $79.80
As you can see from the information above, single-family homes in the Richardson area are selling with an average of 89 days on the market. Of the 46 closings that have reported in to date for February, had an average asking price of $167,736 and sold 98% of list price, this indicates a stable market. If you are considering a move to the Richardson Texas area and are interested in information on a specific area contact me. I can email you information on all active listing in that area that fit you criteria, as well as an analysis of recent comparable sales in that area. You can reach me through my office 972-468-5294 or cell at 972-333-3851. You can also get lots of great real estate information by visiting http://rainawells.yourkwagent.com
Source: NTREIS or North Texas Real Estate Information System
![]()
Approximate Location Boundaries: Boundaries: MLS area 23, covers an area basically east of Coit Road, south of 190, west of Jupiter and north of Walnut Hill.
![]()
Location Characteristics: Richardson, home to the “Telecom Corridor”. The excellent school district and family values are prominent here. With a population of over 95,000, Richardson offers its residents a wide variety of opportunities from housing to recreation. Dart Light Rail has expanded their stations in this great area. I75 or Central Expressway run through the middle or Richardson, has easy access to highway 190 or George Bush to the north and 635 or LBJ to the south. This makes Richardson one of the most accessible areas in all of the Metroplex. It boasts more than 1,100 acres of park space, including soccer and baseball fields that cater to area leagues. Richardson proudly claims its own symphony orchestra and ballet troupe, as well as a children’s theater and the Richardson Community Band. The city has a wide range of homes pricing offering up many gorgeous neighborhoods from well established to new. More settled areas possess beautiful wooded lots, some by golf courses and still some offering views of the Dallas Skyline.
Real Estate Home sales in the city of McKinney, Texas, MLS area 53.
Listings closed in February 2009, reported as of March 5, 2009.
Number of homes sold 101.
Average Selling Price $190,135.
Selling Price Percent of Listing Price 96%.
Average Days on the Market 100.
Lowest Sale Price $15,000.
Highest Sale Price $577,600.
Average Sold Price per Square Foot $79.16
As you can see from the information above, single family homes in McKinney are selling with an average of 100 days on the market. Of the 101 closings that have reported in to date for February, had an average asking price of $197,675 and sold for 96% of list price, this indicates a stable market. If you are considering a move to the McKinney Texas area and are interested in information on a specific area or details of a previous month, contact me. I can email you information on all active listing in that area that fit you criteria, as well as an analysis of recent comparable sales in that area. You can reach me through my office 972-468-5294 or cell at 972-333-3851. You can also get lots of great real estate information by visiting http://rainawells.yourkwagent.com
Source: NTREIS or North Texas Real Estate Information System
![]()
Location Characteristics: Located in Central Collin County you will find this wonderful town of McKinney, whose undeniable charm cannot be beat. Once you discover this community full of rich history and gently rolling hills, you will certainly agree. You will love the ambiance of both the old and the new. Master planned communities nested in lush wooded terrain await even the most discriminating home buyer. The established area of Eldorado is a premier community and home to the Eldordo Country Club. Many gorgeous pre-owned homes can be found here. There are also many new home additions that sprung up around this prominent area of McKinney. Stonebridge Ranch encompasses 5,000 acres of planned development, representing the largest single tract of land ever annexed into an existing city in the history of the state of Texas. This development features two country clubs with championship golf course. Then you have the homes of various ages and styles that are available in McKinney’s registered historic district. Although many are restored some offer the projects that restoration enthusiasts are looking for. Housing in the city ranges from under $100,000 to over 1 million with styles from patio homes to multi-area estates.
Whether you are buying or selling you have a friend in real estate! CALL RAINA WELLS TODAY 972-333-3851
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2012 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved